NLCS: Phillies vs Dodgers

[Dwight Schrute]

Originally Posted by phightin

while he isn't the first pitcher to ever throw a fit over an error by a teammate he may be the only one ever to direct it at two future hall of famers.

wow almost spit up my philly flakes all over my monitor on that one. are you kidding me? come on. he's (utley) a great player but only 5 good seasons in the books

[Dwight Schrute]

Originally Posted by phightin

on a side note from this, and I'm not saying this from a die hard fan's perspective, but trying to from a neutral standpoint, manuel may well be the best manager in baseball over the past few years. The guy in hindsight always seems to make the right call, and I guess any guy that sticks with lidge throwing like he was all season with a 7 plus era and then have it pay off for him in the playoffs is pretty damn crazy or impressive.

maybe he should sub in a defensive specialist at 2b for your future hall of famer. seriously, watching him make those throws reminds me of my sister.

[phightin]

Originally Posted by Dwight Schrute

wow almost spit up my philly flakes all over my monitor on that one. are you kidding me? come on. he's (utley) a great player but only 5 good seasons in the books

So 978 hits, 602 runs, 161 homers, 585 rbis, lifetime .295, .379, .523 5 straight all-star games, and a world series ring at second base doesn't put you on track for the hall then what does? Take a look around the league at the other 2B, he's a lock end of story. Barring some type of career threatening or being plauged by injuries, over the next 4 years as long as he puts up even somewhat decent numbers he's in. Rollins on the other hand will depend on how long and productive the remainder of his career is.

Originally Posted by Dwight Schrute

maybe he should sub in a defensive specialist at 2b for your future hall of famer. seriously, watching him make those throws reminds me of my sister.

Typical throw em under the bus philly fan that gives us all a bad rep. Utley is a decent 2B defensively and its ashame what happened the past couple games. Perhaps you're right though and we should replace him with someone else better defensively to make those plays we don't need him out there. I mean, I'm sure without Utley in the line-up over the past few seasons they would have had no problem at all winning 3 divisons, a world series, and would be in the nlcs this year too. God I would hate to have a player like him on my team.

[phightin]

Originally Posted by NYY #23

Utley, ugh. What is wrong with his throwing this series?

He has a bad habit of rushing and winging his throws at times and it caught him today. I can't blame him for the one yesterday as that was a tougher throw considering how mistimed the intial play was from rollins. Either way it's just one of those things that has happened two games in a row and it's ashame. People are up in arms about it, and todays game etc and they need to relax and realize we split 1-1 out there which is a good thing overall. As for Hamels I think the good thing about seeing him implode this season is that the phillies are going to have tough decisions to make on who they resign and keep over the next couple of years, and this only helps further evaluate who is truly important and vital to the team. If we have to lose Hamels in order to keep Howard/Werth/Lee/Victorino/Blanton I wouldn't mind at all.

[NYY #23]

Originally Posted by phightin

He has a bad habit of rushing and winging his throws at times and it caught him today. I can't blame him for the one yesterday as that was a tougher throw considering how mistimed the intial play was from rollins. Either way it's just one of those things that has happened two games in a row and it's ashame. People are up in arms about it, and todays game etc and they need to relax and realize we split 1-1 out there which is a good thing overall. As for Hamels I think the good thing about seeing him implode this season is that the phillies are going to have tough decisions to make on who they resign and keep over the next couple of years, and this only helps further evaluate who is truly important and vital to the team. If we have to lose Hamels in order to keep Howard/Werth/Lee/Victorino/Blanton I wouldn't mind at all.

Personally I was more mad at Park than Utley. Of course it is easier to cue the endless Chuck Knoblauch comparisons. Its just a shame everything came apart in that inning. After the way Pedro pitched I thought they'd be coming home with a 2-0 lead.

They still are in good shape though splitting on the road. I somewhat agree on Hamels. If it came down to Lee or Hamels I'd pick Lee, but he is young and talented enough to fix the problems he had this year. Of course he needs to grow up a little and not do stupid things like he did yesterday...

[jaxmagicman]

Originally Posted by NYY #23

Personally I was more mad at Park than Utley. Of course it is easier to cue the endless Chuck Knoblauch comparisons. Its just a shame everything came apart in that inning. After the way Pedro pitched I thought they'd be coming home with a 2-0 lead.

They still are in good shape though splitting on the road. I somewhat agree on Hamels. If it came down to Lee or Hamels I'd pick Lee, but he is young and talented enough to fix the problems he had this year. Of course he needs to grow up a little and not do stupid things like he did yesterday...

You were mad at Park for inducing 2 ground balls and a bunt?

[Jason]

I might have to take back what I said about Choke Utley making the Hall of Fame after watching game 2. Hall of Famers don't make mistakes like he did there.

[NYY #23]

Originally Posted by jaxmagicman

You were mad at Park for inducing 2 ground balls and a bunt?

If he fielded the bunt and got the guy at first they would have had a guy on second with one out. I guess I've seen enough of Park and the Phillies bullpen lately to blame them more than Utley.

[Vinny P.]

Originally Posted by phightin

great game both ways. i heard a lot of talk about the dodgers pen all week and in the end it's what cost them the game. you need a good pen sure, but it's such a toss up once the playoffs start, and over analyzed in a lot of ways. Would rather see blanton next game than pedro, but even if they go back to philly with a 1-1 split that's all they should need.
Also the staff of the phillies manages to somehow find guys and raise their pitch speeds by 5-7 mph. Chan Ho coming out throwing 97 mph not only caught me but i think the dodgers way off guard.

Yeah, that's all Philly needed to do, is to split the series 1-1 in LA, which they accomplished. Now they can come home, and play in front of the most hostile city toward the visiting team when it comes to any sport.

Plus, I think the weather will be to their advantage. They already defeated Colorado in freezing weather. Hopefully this will also play to their advantage, since it's much colder here than in LA. (93 degrees! LOL)

[Vinny P.]

Originally Posted by NYY #23

Utley, ugh. What is wrong with his throwing this series?

Yeah I know. He single-handedly blew Game two in the 8th. Damn.

[NYY #23]

Originally Posted by Nihilianth

Yeah, that's all Philly needed to do, is to split the series 1-1 in LA, which they accomplished. Now they can come home, and play in front of the most hostile city toward the visiting team when it comes to any sport.

Plus, I think the weather will be to their advantage. They already defeated Colorado in freezing weather. Hopefully this will also play to their advantage, since it's much colder here than in LA. (93 degrees! LOL)

One thing is for sure the weather will be cold and nasty here tomorrow. I still think the series won't head back to LA, and the Phils win in 5.

[endgame]

Listening to MLB recaps, there was a fairly good discussion about whether Utley is, in fact hurt. Whether it's his hip or ankle, suspicion is that there is some pain in play as a review of the tapes clearly shows evidence he's reluctant to put weight on the right leg where he should be planted to throw to first. Instead, he's throwing off the left leg and it's, no doubt, playing into the errant throw. If he is injured, and they're trying to keep a force in there offensively, I'm not sure it's worth the risk, is it? Defense, IMHO, is a little better shot at preventing runs (earned or not) than offense in the box where it's a hitter vs pitcher crap shoot (with the exception of Pedro and Manny ) every time out.

[Vinny P.]

Originally Posted by endgame

Listening to MLB recaps, there was a fairly good discussion about whether Utley is, in fact hurt. Whether it's his hip or ankle, suspicion is that there is some pain in play as a review of the tapes clearly shows evidence he's reluctant to put weight on the right leg where he should be planted to throw to first. Instead, he's throwing off the left leg and it's, no doubt, playing into the errant throw. If he is injured, and they're trying to keep a force in there offensively, I'm not sure it's worth the risk, is it? Defense, IMHO, is a little better shot at preventing runs (earned or not) than offense in the box where it's a hitter vs pitcher crap shoot (with the exception of Pedro and Manny ) every time out.

I heard that as well today, just a little while ago. If he's in pain, he shouldn't be playing, and giving up such crucial runs like that. As you have said, defense is far more important than offense. Everyone knows this.

Plus, could it also affect his ability to swing the bat as well? And is it all really worth it possibly injuring himself even further? Hopefully, Manuel will take this into consideration tomorrow night. That is, IF Utley actually is hurt.

[phightin]

This is being way overblown to the point of absurdity. Utley is hitting well for them and whether he is hurt or not they need him in their line-up the majority of the game if they want to make it back and win the series again. Two throwing errors don't change that. Remember Ryan Howard's clutch at bat to win the game in Colorado? Take the time to see who drew a crucial 2 out walk before to get him to the plate? It wasn't Eric Bruntlett or Miguel Cairo. And the people throwing him under the bus especially in philly are moronic fans that don't understand the game. In my opinion the generic ones have gotten worse than yankee or red sox ones. At worst a slightly injured Utley who is hitting the ball well or a healthy Miguel Cairo or Eric Bruntlett your choice.

[Vinny P.]

Wow! Bottom of the first, and Big Oafy Ryan Howard hits a 2 run Triple, followed up by a Jason Werth 2-run HR! 4-0 Philly, bottom of the 1st.

[NYY #23]

Not much of a game so far. Go Phillies!

[Vinny P.]

Originally Posted by NYY #23

Not much of a game so far. Go Phillies!

Yeah, really. 6-0 so far, and Billingsley is the third pitcher for LA so far.

[NYY #23]

Originally Posted by Nihilianth

Yeah, really. 6-0 so far, and Billingsley is the third pitcher for LA so far.

With Lee on the mound this should be a good sign. A couple more runs and they'll outscore the Eagles.

[myasu]

Originally Posted by NYY #23

With Lee on the mound this should be a good sign. A couple more runs and they'll outscore the Eagles.

What a performance by Lee.
only 3 hits allowed with 10 strikeouts!

He has been just amazing in these post season games.

[NYY #23]

Originally Posted by myasu

What a performance by Lee.
only 3 hits allowed with 10 strikeouts!

He has been just amazing in these post season games.

He really has been amazing in the post season. Its fun watching when someone pitches like he did tonight. Not to mention his single up the middle in the end. Great pickup by the Phils.